News: Here you may discover hundreds of little-known composers, hear thousands of long-forgotten compositions, contribute your own rare (non-copyright) recordings, and discuss all the Arts in an erudite and decorous atmosphere full of freedom and delight. To participate, simply log in or register.

I listened to Nikola Atanasov's Symphony No.1 for the first time the other day and loved it immediately, and have listed to it all the way through several times since. A very light (without being shallow) and melodic symphony in four movements. Not what I expect from a composer from that part of Europe, where the colours are often so dark. Much more in the vein of Smetana writing about Vltava I thought, plus occasional bits of Schumann, and music that could be Tchaikovsky ballet at the end of the second movement. It's on youtube, and I can't see that it's commercially available (Amazon search). It's from a Bulgaroton recording, as far as I know Bulgaroton no longer exists.

Nikola Atanassov belongs to the first generation of Bulgarian composers. He composed the first Bulgarian symphony (1912), inspired by the classical symphony form, as well as the first Bulgarian sonata for piano (1911). He graduated form the Conservatory of Zagreb where he studied under Professor F. Dugan, V. Ruzic, K. Yunek and V. Humel (1906–12). He taught music in Stara Zagora (1912–22), Pleven (1915) and Sofia (1922–24). In 1923 he joined the staff of the State Academy of Music as lecturer in music theory subjects and later became Professor (1929–58). He was Rector of the State Academy of Music (1934–37).

The orchestral music predominates in his work. He composed three symphonies; two overtures and the music picture Chieftain Doychin; overture for mandolin orchestra and other pieces including five Bulgarian folksong medleys; three suites; three waltzes; Rachenitza; Arabesque; Intermezzo; chamber works; choral music; solo songs, etc. He also made over 500 arrangements and orchestrations of overtures, hymns, solo songs by other authors, etc. His Symphony No.1 and the Trio for violin, violoncello and piano are among his most popular works.

The source for these two recordings is an old Balkanton LP from (I think) 1981. Neither seems to be available today in any format. I have some other Goleminov recordings, including two different recordings of the 3rd string quartet, but I don't know where they came from.

Thank you very much for the Goleminov upload! Guerguan Tsenov already put the "Dobri Hristov" variations on YouTube, I could do that with the first symphony (as I did with the second and third - not with the fourth, since it's commercially available). I have also got two different recordings of Goleminov's third string quartet: one by the Avramov Quartet (Sofia, Bulgarian National Radio, Studio 1, 1971), and one by the Sofia Quartet (released by Gega in 1998). Besides, I recently uploaded some Nikolov on YouTube, including his "Prometheus" opera.

Maris (Latvian) - thank you so much for the enormous Vladigerov upload - what a wealth of music!

The files are all FLAC. Can anyone here advise of the best online FLAC-to-MP3 converter? The only ones I can find are INCREDIBLY slow - over 30 minutes to convert just 2 files. And there are over 45 files!

I listened to Nikola Atanasov's Symphony No.1 for the first time the other day and loved it immediately, and have listed to it all the way through several times since. A very light (without being shallow) and melodic symphony in four movements. Not what I expect from a composer from that part of Europe, where the colours are often so dark. Much more in the vein of Smetana writing about Vltava I thought, plus occasional bits of Schumann, and music that could be Tchaikovsky ballet at the end of the second movement. It's on youtube, and I can't see that it's commercially available (Amazon search). It's from a Bulgaroton recording, as far as I know Bulgaroton no longer exists.

Nikola Atanassov belongs to the first generation of Bulgarian composers. He composed the first Bulgarian symphony (1912), inspired by the classical symphony form, as well as the first Bulgarian sonata for piano (1911). He graduated form the Conservatory of Zagreb where he studied under Professor F. Dugan, V. Ruzic, K. Yunek and V. Humel (1906–12). He taught music in Stara Zagora (1912–22), Pleven (1915) and Sofia (1922–24). In 1923 he joined the staff of the State Academy of Music as lecturer in music theory subjects and later became Professor (1929–58). He was Rector of the State Academy of Music (1934–37).

The orchestral music predominates in his work. He composed three symphonies; two overtures and the music picture Chieftain Doychin; overture for mandolin orchestra and other pieces including five Bulgarian folksong medleys; three suites; three waltzes; Rachenitza; Arabesque; Intermezzo; chamber works; choral music; solo songs, etc. He also made over 500 arrangements and orchestrations of overtures, hymns, solo songs by other authors, etc. His Symphony No.1 and the Trio for violin, violoncello and piano are among his most popular works.

Does anyone know if any other of Nikola Atanasov's music is recorded? This symphony is so good, I want to know more about him. (He is not to be confused with Georgi Atanassov (1882-1931), also Bulgarian.)

Does anyone know if any other of Nikola Atanasov's music is recorded? This symphony is so good, I want to know more about him. (He is not to be confused with Georgi Atanassov (1882-1931), also Bulgarian.)